Rebuilding Older Craftsman Air Regulator

[Cruzan80]

So I have an older CM air compressor that I scavenged the regulator for, only to find out it doesn't seem to hold pressure across the range. Anyone know how to fix one of these? Sears Parts says No replacement available.

Regulator is a RE-2026, compressor is a 106.154580. I know the knob on the front is supposed to press down or release the disc inside, allowing air to go by.

 

[6PTsocket]

They are cheap. Just buy a new one from Home Depot, Harbor Freight, almost anywhere. It is just standard pipe thread, NPT. There js nothing special about the original. You might have to salvage your old gauge if the replacement does not come with one. If the thread is the wrong size or it will not fit in the old location, there are plumbing adapters to get it installed. Meanwhile, pull the old one apart and see if you can spot the problem. Just make sure the new regulator covers the range you need.

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[Cruzan80]

I know I can buy a new one, but one that has a dual gauge, with multiple high and low outputs isn't cheap. And this one is already in place, so I don't have to mess with disconnecting any piping. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked about fixing this one.

Anyway, here are some pictures. The first one is showing the entire thing mounted on the wall. I noticed the guages read ashcroft, so maybe not an older CH model? Almost looks like a Norgren style of cone. The second one is when I removed everything that was easily removable. The third shows the pieces in the order of removal, and the last picture is of the diaphram. The screw presses against the domed metal piece, to compress or release the spring. The spring then sits on the metal washer shape, the underside of which depresses the pin in the second photo, allowing pressure thru.

I did make sure I had the piping go thru the Low side (instead of the high side). It is not an instant pressure rise when I release the pressure down-range of the regulator, but rather a gradual gain. I would say it is about 30-45 seconds to go from 0-100psi from a 60 gal tank supply. Guessing something is causing the pin to not release fully, but unsure if I should be looking more at the pin itself (degreasing, etc) or the diaphram. Anyone removed the knurled part behind the regulator to get at the pin? Or ideas on what I should be looking at to fix/replace?

 

[Cruzan80]

So I was able to remove the back piece, and found some corrosion, dirt, grease, etc. Cleaned that part up, and reassembled the back piece. Any reason why I can't run the compressor temporarily with the regulator disassembled like pic 2, long enough to check for leaks from the center pin? Thinking I may need a new spring back there, if it can't overcome air pressure to close the valve there.

Everything in pic 3 is designed to seal the regulator past the release of air upstream, in order to direct it down thru the pipes, correct? Maybe I overtightened the bolts on the front and front spring (even when under minimum tension) was more powerful than the back spring?

Trying to kind of document both what I did and my thinking, in case someone else needs to go thru this.

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[Cruzan80]

Update:

So I ran the compressor up to tank pressure with no leaks, and the front cover off (aka. Pic 2). When I depressed the pin, there was enough air flowing down the pipe to lightly run an air tool (die grinder), even with the hole on the left of the pin uncovered. Covering it provided more air, but I think I can safely eliminate everything in pic 3 as an issue. Probably 75% of the time, I needed to re-seat the pin by pressing a few times down on the pin to get it to stop leaking air. Think this is the cause of the issue where it won't hold a regulated pressure.

Two culprits I am thinking are either the hard rubber isn't sealing against the back smoothly, or the spring is rusted and not applying pressure evenly across the valve. One part has about 40% of the diameter missing due to rust, so trying that first. Otherwise, may try a bit of cork or other flexible sealer against the back to help the rubber seat correctly. Worst case will source a new hard rubber gasket and cut to size.

Pics of these parts upcoming.

#77 and #78 on this link for a comparable regulator from CH. http://www.ereplacementparts.com/ca...ir-compressor-parts-c-32345_32346_294453.html